TPC - World Religions

Judaism

• Symbol: Star of David

• Founder: Abraham

• When: 3,000 B.C.

• Where: Israel

• Holy Book(s): Torah / Talmud

• House of Worship: Synagogues

• Followers: Jews

• Basic Beliefs:

  • Monotheistic

  • Jews are the chosen people of God

  • Jerusalem / Israel are holy lands

  • Dietary laws: No pork or shellfish, meat and dairy can't be combined, meat must be ritually slaughtered and salted

Christianity

• Symbol: Christian Cross

• Founder: Abraham, Jesus

• When: 30 A.D.

• Where: Israel

• Holy Book(s): Old Testament (Judaism), New Testament (Stories of Jesus)

• House of Worship: Church

• Major Divisions: Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox

• Followers: Christians (2 Billion)

• Basic Beliefs:

  • Monotheistic

  • Jesus Christ is the son of God (Holy Trinity and saints)

  • Death and resurrection redeem mankind from sin

  • Ten Commandments

Islam

• Symbol: Crescent and Star

• Founder: Abraham, Muhammad

• When: 620 A.D.

• Where: Arabian Peninsula

• Holy Book(s): Quran, Hadith

• House of Worship: Mosque

• Major Divisions: Sunni, Shia

• Followers: Muslims (1.3 Billion)

• Basic Beliefs:

  • Monotheistic

  • "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger"

  • Five Pillars of Islam:

    1. Shahada (Faith): Declaration of faith

    2. Salah (Prayer): Five daily prayers

    3. Zakat (Charity): Giving to the poor

    4. Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during Ramadan

    5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): Pilgrimage to Mecca

Hinduism

• Symbol: Om symbol

• Founder: Ancient priests of India

• When: 5,000-3,000 B.C.

• Where: India

• Holy Book(s): Vedas

• House of Worship: Temple

• Major Divisions: Numerous schools and traditions

• Followers: Hindus (900 Million)

• Basic Beliefs:

  • Polytheistic

  • Reincarnation (rebirth)

  • Karma (actions affect future lives)

  • Ultimate Goal: Oneness with “Brahman” (God, Reality)

  • Gods:

    • Brahma (Creator)

    • Vishnu (Preserver)

    • Shiva (Destroyer)

    • Ganapati (Remover of Obstacles)

    • Saraswati (Goddess of Learning)

Buddhism

• Symbol: Dharma Wheel

• Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

• When: 500 B.C.

• Where: Northern India

• Holy Book(s): Tripitaka

• House of Worship: Monastery

• Major Divisions: Mahayana, Theravada

• Followers: Buddhists (360 Million)

• Basic Beliefs:

  • Non-theistic

  • Life is suffering, caused by wanting and ignorance

  • Reincarnation and Karma

  • Dharma: Path of righteousness

  • 8-Fold Path: Steps to Nirvana

  • Nirvana: State of enlightenment, free from suffering

Sikhism

• Symbol: Khanda

• Founder: Guru Nanak

• When: 1500 A.D.

• Where: India, Pakistan

• Holy Book(s): Adi Granth

• House of Worship: Gurdwara

• Followers: Sikhs (23 Million)

• Basic Beliefs:

  • Monotheistic

  • Mixture of Islam and Hinduism

  • Belief in Reincarnation and Karma

  • 5 Ks:

    1. Kesh: Uncut hair and beard

    2. Kangha: Wooden comb

    3. Katchera: Cotton underwear

    4. Kara: Steel bracelet

    5. Kirpan: Sword

Animism

• Followers: At least 100 million adherents

• Basic Beliefs:

  • Certain inanimate objects (rocks, rivers, etc.) have spirits or souls

  • Spirits live in natural elements like water, mountains, celestial bodies

  • Each tribe has unique characteristics and beliefs

• Examples of Gods:

  • Fūjin: God of wind

  • Hachiman: God of war

  • Inari Ōkami: God of rice and agriculture

  • Izanagi-no-Mikoto: The first man

  • Izanami-no-Mikoto: The first woman